So, what would you do to prove such a oath that you not only say it but, live it?

---> the post office on fire!

Before the postal office on Voluta Diadema. (road).
This location is flooded with shallow, crystal clear water. It is uncomfortably hot. Small, fine gravel, in pastel hues, covers the street in a thick layer, affording a soft, comfortable surface to walk on, and a pleasant view. Short, squat palm trees, about two meters high, and two meters wide at the crown, line both sides of the street. A statue of Japhiel, Illuminator of Merciful Justice stands here, memorialising his noble spirit. As still as a magnificent statue, an exalted dragon peers out with serene gold eyes. The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star with a Nymph face stands here within a luminous pool of light, surrounded by white water lilies. There is a burning illusory eye floating darkly over him. He wields a radiant chalice in his left hand and a glass candle burning with holy fire in his right hand.
You see exits leading east, south, and west.
Wait timer expired.
You raise a hand and blast the ground with frigid air, coating it with slick ice.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Oh! Haha, thank you Mister Faragans."

Saltspeaker Nuru Re'Leo says, "Thank you both!"

Faragan enthuses, "Sure!"

The mount of Faragan slips and falls on the ice.
Faragan stands up and stretches his arms out wide.

Your eyes raise to the heavens as a look of hope flashes across your face.

Saltspeaker Nuru Re'Leo says, "Is.. this something that has happened before? Random fires in the city?"

Pointing at the ground, you hiss and narrow your eyes. Flames erupt and melt the layer of ice that coats it.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Mhm! Storms and lightning strikes."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Thunderstorm lightning strikes can cause fire."

You nod your head emphatically.

Comprehension flashes across Nuru's face.
Saltspeaker Nuru Re'Leo says, "I see, I see. Okay, that is good to know. I will keep a bucket on me from now on."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Faragan, "Oh by the ways Mister Faragan, can I talk to you about Order things?"

Saltspeaker Nuru Re'Leo says, "Thank you both again!"
With a flourish of his arm, Nuru bows deeply.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Sure."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Faragan, "Iyam on my Fortitude task now, I think. Do you have any suggestions for a task I should do?"

For a moment, a glass candle burning with holy fire within Faragan's hand flares even brighter and paints him in light-cast images of the Saints, their lives, and their trials.

With a slight laugh, you say, "In this time of peace, it is hard to find a thing to endure through."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "If you think this time is peaceful you have not woken much of late."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "True. I meant more in there is not ascension coming to end reality. I know we were fighting and helping Glomdoring restore their Avatars."
With a wince, you say, "But yes, Iyam also not awake as muchly."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "That among others. but, fortitude."

You tilt your head curiously.

A halo of celestial light wells about you, the shells upon a shimmering wreath of seashells reflecting it outwards, painting your surroundings in a spray of oceanic hues.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star asks, "What does it mean to you?"

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Well, it is staying strong in times of hardship, yes. Like, being able to endure a long battle, or keeping faith when you are being brought down by a lot of doubt. Keeping yourself together to survive."
With a frown, you say, "Although, I guess that is perhaps an extreme scenario."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Not extreme. We deal with those thing on a day to day basis perhaps."


You nod your head slowly in understanding.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "What is your understanding of Fortitudes?"

The pulsing glow emitted from Light's Glory surges brilliantly, a shining beacon of hope that reaches across the entirety of the Basin of Life.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "To continue in the light regardless of obstacles we may face. Fortitude has won out. I have seen many low times within the light and still we continue on in our task. we are not stopped regardless of those things that come against us. We are still here after all so that proves something about fortitude."

The Mantle of Starlight flows gently against your form, twinkling stars shifting across its surface as the starry infinity continues its eternal motion.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "We succeed and fail both, yet either outcome we continue on."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star asks, "What made you swear the oath of fortitude the the Empyreal?"

Composed by: Lantra
Composed on: 10th of Dvarsh, 602 CE

To be allowed entrance into the Order of Lantra as Her Avowing, the Empyreal
four vows in service to Her virtues must be sworn. As part of those vows,
certain requirements must be met. Likewise, once those vows are sworn, certain
expectations are held of those who enter proper service of the Empyreal:

"Do you swear to uphold the virtue of Purity, and to stand against the impurity
of the Taint and the Soulless, protecting the integrity of the Basin and of the
soul without compromise?"

        A vow of Purity may not be sworn by a viscanti or illithoid, as both
        are anathema to this virtue of the Lady's. Any within the Order who
        take on this form shall likewise face expulsion.

"Do you swear to uphold the virtue of Devotion, and to offer your undying
loyalty to the Lady Lantra, to Her city of New Celest, and to the Holy
Supernals of Celestia whom She cherishes?"

        A vow of Devotion may not be sworn by any outside of the city of New
        Celest, for it demands service to the Light and to the Supernals that
        the Lady so cherishes. Any within the Order who leave New Celest shall
        likewise face expulsion.

"Do you swear to uphold the virtue of Fortitude, to defend and advocate for
truth and justice, without being swayed from your path by obstacles of doubt or
fear?"

        A vow of Fortitude may not be sworn by any who has taken arms
        against the Lady Lantra, New Celest, or the holy plane of Celestia
        without repenting first to remedy their status of enemyship. Any
        within the Order who take arms in such a fashion shall likewise face
        expulsion.

"And do you swear to uphold Wisdom, the last of Her virtues, and in doing so
swear to pursue knowledge for the betterment of others, and never out of fear
or for the greed of selfish gain?"

        A vow of Wisdom may not be sworn by any who hold to beliefs contrary
        to those of the Lady Lantra, such as sympathy for the Taint, the Wyrd,
        or the Soulless. Any within the Order who take on such views,
        especially publicly, will be held accountable.

Those who have sworn those vows may be patroned into the Lady's Order proper as
Avowing (OHELP AVOWING), joining as blessed by Purity, and are thus bound to
these convictions.

Softly, you say, "Because I believe it. It is only right to fight for truth and justice for as long as my body can still wake, yes. Doubt and fear are never good reasons to back down from your promises of devotion and morality."

Faragan nods his head emphatically.

With a slight laugh, you say, "Iyam also stubborn, like my Dad. It is only in my family's blood to endure through hardship, I think."
The glittering dome of light surrounding New Celest shimmers with power as the star high above sparkles ever brighter.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "It is only natural, that is."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "So, what would you do to prove such a oath that you not only say it but, live it. Other than still waking that is."

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Promise to do something difficult for a long period of time, something that helps promote justice and truth. Something more than what I am doing now."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star asks, "Ok is that because you think fortitude can only be proven over a long peried of time?"

With a frown, you say, "Well... yes? That is how I feel. Is it wrong to think so?"

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "No, not at all but, like I said we face trials every single day that we could simply give up on and not continue the path we have walked."

Silent motes of light like those of the Pool of Stars drift through the city, lighting up their surroundings.

You blink.
Thoughtfully, you say, "Right."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "But, given what you think and this is your task, what sort of long term task would you think appropriate to hold up the Empyreal ideal of fortitude and what it means?"

You sigh quietly, frills drooping as your tail sags.

Faragan tilts his head and listens intently.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I do not know. Maybe something to do with not speaking? I know some peoples think it is wiser to listen than to speak."
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Or I could try to empower Celestia and the Supernals for a period of time, more than I already assist withs."
You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Listening is a good skill. Also just something to think about. You said you do not wake as much these days. Do you not wake and do things for the light when you do even if not as often? Does that not show fortitude? You are not here as much but, I have seen when you are awake and things happen you get involved. Does that not show fortitude?"

You blink.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star asks, "You just as easily could say I do not wake as much thus I could not make a difference but, you do try still do you not?"

A halo of celestial light wells about you, the shells upon a shimmering wreath of seashells reflecting it outwards, painting your surroundings in a spray of oceanic hues.

With a pause, you say, "I guess it does, but I do not want to be arrogant and say I already know enoughs to have completed the task."
You blink.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Oh! But you do so much Mister Faragan I-."
Comprehension flashes across your face.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Ohhhhhhhh."

Faragan waves his hand dismissively.

A group of iridescent bubbles silently floats past on a sea breeze.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Cheliyi, we are all just parts of the light. We all do our part to make it shine. we are all different and all just as important as the other."

Thoughtfully, you say, "We do try, yes. And that is continuing to try to act and stay true even when we do not always see the result of our work."
You nod your head at Faragan.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Look this way. people might see you rarely but, when they do see you and things happen you get involved regardless. That could be encouragement for others that just sit around to get involved. They might think if you can do it surely they can. your fortitude in times of sporadic waking could be very encouraging."

You nod your head slowly in understanding.

Fluttering as if caught by a breeze, the silvery threads of tinsel weave about in a haphazard pattern: conjuring new constellations and shapes as they glow from the sidereal light of the wreath's fine filaments.

Warmly, you say, "Right."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "And I am not saying this completes your task but, perhaps take time to write an essay for the city library or the order one that talks about fortitude in times of slight waking."

You nod your head emphatically.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I can do thats."

With delight, you say, "Thank you Mister Faragans. I have my idea now! Will do my bestly."

Faragan utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

You blush furiously.
You giggle happily.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "And if you are like me that writing may take that long time you mentioned before."

You nod your head emphatically.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "It took me years to write the pillars of the empyreal."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "They are very goodly."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "And do not take my task as the only one if it does not fit you. maybe seek out Auriella for another opinion."

With a laugh, you say, "You have seen my news articles before, I am sure. I do like writing! But yes, I will also ask Miss Auriella."

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Good good. glad we got you started at least."

You clap your hands together merrily.

Faragan's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say to Faragan, "I owe you foods later, yes."

You giggle happily.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Good, I rarely eat these days."

You give a horrified gasp.
You give a lemon and poppyseed muffin to The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star.

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Thanks."

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Iyam now going to send you food every time I see you waking, yes."
You cross your arms on your chest, stick out your lower lip, and pout.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Food is important!"

The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "That's the only time I eat too."
"Heh heh heh" Faragan chuckles.
The Ivory Dove, Faragan Ladyn, Merchant of The Star says, "Usually get busy and forget."

You purse your lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as you carefully gather your thoughts.
Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "Well, I'll do my best to help."
You giggle happily.

Faragan thanks you profusely.

Echoed by rippling waters, you say, "I need to go check on my sibling, yesly. Have a nicely day Mister Faragans, and thank you!"

Faragan smiles at you and cups his hands together in offering. Motes of light unfurl to reveal a single star lotus in his palm, lingering there with radiant beauty.
With a flourish of his arm, Faragan bows deeply.
Cogs, gears, pendulums and sprockets spring together and quickly form a strange, gnomish gadget in Faragan, riding an exalted ivory and gold dragon,'s hands. Quickly the cannon-like mechanism turns and fires at Faragan, riding an exalted ivory and gold dragon, completely wiping him away in the spray of aether.